Possible thesis projects Anders M. Fjell / Kristine B Walhovd – main research interests Related to the use of event-related potentials (ERPs) Related to the use of event-related potentials (ERPs) Especially targetet at human memopry processes Especially targetet at human memopry processes Other themes using ERP as a method are negotiable Other themes using ERP as a method are negotiable

ERP at the institute of psychology

ERP: The method Superior temporal resolution relative to fMRI og PET, but poor spatial resolution Superior temporal resolution relative to fMRI og PET, but poor spatial resolution The only metyhod (besides MEG) that is assumed to measure neural activity directly The only metyhod (besides MEG) that is assumed to measure neural activity directly

Kildelokalisering med Neuroscan Curry 5.0

ERP

Saggital view Coronal view Networks, sequences of activation

Saggital view Coronal view Networks, sequences of activation Parallell distributed processing

Memory predicted by ERP (event-related potentials) Is a stronger electrophysiological activation to repeated stimuli associated with superior memory? Is a stronger electrophysiological activation to repeated stimuli associated with superior memory?

The old-new effect Previously presented stimuli elicit a stronger electrophysiological activity than new stimuli Previously presented stimuli elicit a stronger electrophysiological activity than new stimuli This is termed the old-new effect This is termed the old-new effect The old-new effect is assumed related to memory processes The old-new effect is assumed related to memory processes

Example task

Activity to new (blue) versus old (red) stimuli

Sample results from our lab: Age changes (Pz) YoungMiddle agedOld new ______ old

A measure of consolidation? The old-new effect increases with number of repetition times The old-new effect increases with number of repetition times Some have speculated that the old-new effect may be an index of consolidation Some have speculated that the old-new effect may be an index of consolidation

mVmV milliseconds 20 – 30 yrs, block 1 – 4 Blokk 4 Blokk 3 Blokk 2 Blokk 1

Distribution of electrical activity measured on the scalp correlates with memory (verbal recognition memory) in elderly (mean 75 years) Walhovd, Fjell, Reinvang et al., 2006, Cognitive Brain Research

Ideas Development of memory; mapping of the development of widely distributed memory networks in the brain Development of memory; mapping of the development of widely distributed memory networks in the brain Studies of source vs. item memory, inclusion of confidence ratings Studies of source vs. item memory, inclusion of confidence ratings Use of extended retention intervals (days, weeks) Use of extended retention intervals (days, weeks) Dissociation of the brains and the minds memory abilities Dissociation of the brains and the minds memory abilities

1) Is there a parallell reduction in memory as assessed behaviorally and by the old-new effect across time? 1) Is there a parallell reduction in memory as assessed behaviorally and by the old-new effect across time? 2) Can distinct electrophysiological patterns be identified for familiarity vs recollection-based recognition? 2) Can distinct electrophysiological patterns be identified for familiarity vs recollection-based recognition?

If you would like to work with ERP as a method, you need to invest quite a bit of time and effort invest quite a bit of time and effort be interested in cognitive processes that can be studied by ERPs, such as memory and attention (processes such as problem solving cannot so easily be studied by ERPs) be interested in cognitive processes that can be studied by ERPs, such as memory and attention (processes such as problem solving cannot so easily be studied by ERPs) keep a positive attitude and not give up in the event of technical difficulties ☺ keep a positive attitude and not give up in the event of technical difficulties ☺

If you do your thesis on ERP studies, you will be offered Training in ERP registrations so that you can gather electrophysiological data on your own Training in ERP registrations so that you can gather electrophysiological data on your own Training in ERP analysis in a lab of international standard Training in ERP analysis in a lab of international standard Training in relevant SPSS statistics Training in relevant SPSS statistics

Contact information A 4.012/ A 4.011